Chief of Air Force

Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell enlisted into the Royal New Zealand Air Force in January 1973 as a Navigator under training.  On completion of Navigator training Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell was posted to No.1 Squadron flying B170 Bristol Freighters.

He was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer in December 1974 and to Flight Lieutenant in December 1977.  Prior to completing the RNZAF Junior Staff Course in May 1980, Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell held flying posts at No. 41 Squadron (B170) based in Singapore and No. 40 Squadron (C-130 Hercules) based in Auckland.

Following a tour as Directing Staff at the Command Training Squadron at Wigram, Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell qualified as a Navigation Instructor and spent time instructing at the Navigation and Air Electronics Training Squadron on F27 Friendships.  He then returned to No. 40 Squadron (C-130 and B727) as the Navigator Leader and was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in July 1985.

In 1989, Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell attended the year long RAF Advanced Staff Course at Bracknell in the UK, before returning to Wellington as the Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of Air Staff. 

On promotion to the rank of Wing Commander in August 1990, Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell was appointed Director of Air Staff Policy and Plans.  In July 1992 he completed the Australian Defence Force Joint Services Staff Course in Canberra before returning to Air Staff in December 1992.

In April 1993 he was posted to Auckland as Commanding Officer No. 40 Squadron. 
After two years at No. 40 Squadron Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell was posted to Officer Commanding Operations Wing RNZAF Base Auckland.

In 1995, Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell was awarded the Air Force Cross for his leadership of No. 40 Squadron.  He was awarded the New Zealand Armed Forces Award on 9 January 1988 and clasp on 9 January 2003. 

In August 1996, Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell was promoted to the rank of Group Captain and posted to Canada as the NZ Defence Advisor.  He was appointed Base Commander, RNZAF Base Woodbourne in January 2000. In January 2001 he was appointed Director of Air Force Training under Project Refocus.

Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell deployed to Tampa, Florida, in May 2003 as the NZDF Senior National Representative at HQ USCENTCOM.  Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell returned to Woodbourne on 4 November 2003. He was promoted to his current rank and appointed to the position of Commander Joint Forces New Zealand on 1 May 2009. 

On 1 May 2011, Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell was appointed to his current post of Chief of Air Force. He is married to Alison and they have two children, Samantha and Mathew.